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How much does a cat cost per year?

Estimate your cat's real budget: upfront costs, yearly spending and whole-of-life cost (about 15 years). Every figure is editable.

Estimate your pet's budget

The default figures are French averages. Edit them to fit your situation.

Where the pet comes from
Upfront costs (one-off)
Yearly costs (every year)

A cat's budget

1,475 €First year
1,100 € / yrThen every year
16,875 €Over a whole life (~15 years)

Estimated with Animalert

The breakdown

Upfront costs

  • Adoption (shelter)175 €
  • Starter equipment200 €

Every year

  • Food450 € / yr
  • Vet (annual care)200 € / yr
  • Grooming50 € / yr
  • Toys and accessories200 € / yr
  • Boarding / pet-sitting (holidays)200 € / yr

Rough estimates, adjust for your region and lifestyle.

Why estimate the budget before adopting

Welcoming an animal means welcoming it into your family for its whole life. Anticipating the budget, from upfront costs to health care, avoids nasty surprises and lets you give your companion the care it needs.

Cost should never lead to abandonment

A tight budget isn't a dead end. When money is hard, solidarity vet clinics, charities and support schemes exist. And if you lose a pet or find one, Animalert helps you report and find it, for free.

Estimates, not a bill

Vet fees are not regulated in France and vary by region and practitioner. These figures give a ballpark; adjust each line for your real situation.

Our sources

  • Adoption fees: the SPA's official schedule (2025). la-spa.fr
  • Average budget per pet: the IFOP 2022 survey (€943/yr on average, including food and vet care). ifop.com
  • Vet procedures (neutering, identification, vaccines): a published veterinary price grid. vet price grid
  • Insurance: a pet-insurer barometer (2025). Life expectancy by size: veterinary reviews. insurance barometer, santevet.com

Going further

Welcoming an animal well also means being well informed and ready to react.

A dog's budgetThe same calculation, tuned to its species.Age in human yearsHow old is your pet, really?Lost-pet posterCreate a print-ready search notice.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Is a cat cheaper than a dog?

Usually yes, especially on food, grooming and boarding. But litter, vet care and a long life still make it a real budget.

Is neutering essential?

It's strongly recommended: it protects the cat's health and prevents unwanted litters, a major cause of abandonment. A shelter does it before adoption.

How can I lower the budget without neglecting my cat?

Adopting from a shelter, neutering, identifying, and focusing on prevention and good food all cost less than treating problems you could have avoided.

How Much Does a Cat Cost per Year? (budget calculator) | Animalert